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Alex Cabrero ReportingMemorial Day means a lot to veterans, current soldiers, and their families, but it also means a lot to Tooele's High School principal.
Kendall Topham has only been principal at Tooele High School for a couple of months, but in a few weeks, he'll be Major Kendall Topham.
He's with the artillery unit of the Utah National Guard. That unit is being deployed to Iraq this summer. Topham got the word last month and has been preparing for it ever since.
He says being a high school principal has been his goal ever since he got into education, but in the back of his mind, also always knew a deployment was possible.
This is his first deployment in 19 years with the guard. Topham says he's proud to serve his country, but also knows leaving his civilian life behind won't be easy.
Kendall Topham, Principal, Tooele High School: "There's a downside too, and that is you leave your wife, your children, your loved ones, your job, your friends. And so that makes it tough."
The Tooele School District has promised Topham his job back, as principal, when he returns home. He says that helps relieve some stress.
